Daniel James back in training as Leeds weigh Manchester United options

Daniel James is back in training and has a chance of facing Manchester United on Sunday, although Daniel Farke will wait to see how the winger responds before deciding whether to include him in the Leeds squad.

The update gives Leeds a possible extra attacking option for the Elland Road meeting without settling the selection. James has been out with a back problem, while Joe Rodon remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.

Hero photo: Daniel James at Craven Cottage on 13 September 2025. Archive, not this week. Photo: Timmy96 / Wikimedia Commons, CC0. Cropped and resized.

Daniel James must come through the final sessions

In Leeds’ official Friday team-news update, Farke said Daniel James had returned to the pitch with the group on Thursday after around ten days out. The manager welcomed that progress but explained that the recent work had not yet been at a high intensity.

“We have to wait right now also how his body reacts and how he comes through the last two sessions before the game but there is a chance that he is involved,” Farke said.

That leaves a clear distinction between being back in training and being ready for a match. Daniel James has taken the first step, but Farke has not confirmed a place in the squad or named his starting side.

Rodon progresses but remains out

Rodon’s recovery is moving in the right direction, though the defender has not yet returned to team training. Farke said he was in the seventh week of an injury that had originally been expected to keep him out for eight to ten weeks.

The manager described good progress in his rehabilitation and said a return to the group was getting closer. For Sunday’s game, however, Rodon is not in contention, so Leeds must prepare without him rather than treat the improving outlook as match availability.

Leeds prepare for Sunday’s Elland Road test

The club’s fixture announcement confirms a 2pm UK kick-off on Sunday 18 October, with live coverage on Sky Sports. James’ response to the remaining sessions is one of the decisions still to be made before then.

Harry Wilson has already warned Leeds to deliver on the day, rather than rely on Manchester United’s recent form. Farke’s fitness update adds a practical selection question to that preparation: whether Daniel James can provide another option, with no promise yet that he will be involved.